Method and apparatus for disinfecting a refrigerated water cooler reservoir

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a cabinet and spigot type bottled water dispenser features an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the ozone generator housing. The air carries the ozone that is generated through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned upstream of the spigot (or spigots) used to dispense water. In one embodiment, a valve that is activated on the spigot to dispense water also activates the blower and ozone generator. In other embodiments, a flow sensor activates the ozone generator and blower. Various spigot and flow sensor arrangements are disclosed as a part of the overall apparatus and method.

1. A method of sanitizing water dispenser having a cabinet with water supply that includes a reservoir, and an operable spigot on the cabinet enables water to be dispensed from the cabinet and its water supply comprising the steps of:
 a) generating ozone with an ozone generator; 
 b) collecting the generated ozone inside of an ozone generator housing; 
 c) transmitting ozone from the ozone generator housing to the water supply reservoir so that bubbles rise upwardly in the reservoir; and 
 d) wherein in step “c” the ozone enters the reservoir via a plurality of diffuser elements that are mounted in the wall of a polymeric tube that has a tube wall surrounding a tube lumen. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of spacing the diffuser element from the center of the reservoir so that ozone from the diffuser scrubs the reservoir wall. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein bubbles rise upwardly in the reservoir a distance of between about two and ten inches. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein bubbles rise upwardly a distance of between about four and eight inches. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the ozone generated in step “b” is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between about one and five minutes. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the ozone generated in step “b” is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between about two and three minutes. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4  wherein the ozone generated in step “b” is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between about one and three minutes. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of sintered metal and further comprising the step of controlling bubble size with the porosity of the sintered metal. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein the sintered metal is an ozone resistant titanium metal. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of porous ceramic material and further comprising the step of controlling bubble size with the porosity of the ceramic. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the ceramic material is an insoluble dry ceramic material. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of a flanged button shape. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of a conical button shape. 
     
     
       14. A method of sanitizing water dispenser having a cabinet with water supply that includes a reservoir, and an operable spigot on the cabinet enables water to be dispensed from the cabinet and its water supply comprising the steps of:
 a) generating ozone with an ozone generator; 
 b) collecting the generated ozone inside of an ozone generator housing; 
 c) transmitting ozone from the ozone generator housing to the water supply reservoir so that bubbles rise upwardly in the reservoir; and 
 d) wherein in step “c” the ozone enters the reservoir via a plurality of diffuser elements that are mounted in the wall of a polymeric tube that has a tube wall surrounding a tube lumen. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of spacing the diffuser element from the center of the reservoir so that ozone from the diffuser scrubs the reservoir. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein bubbles rise upwardly in the reservoir a distance of between about two and ten inches. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  wherein bubbles rise upwardly a distance of between about four and eight inches. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  wherein the ozone generated in step “b” is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between about one and five minutes. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14  wherein the ozone generated in step “b” is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between about two and three minutes. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14  wherein the ozone generated in step “b” is spike ozonation that is generated for a duration of between about one and three minutes. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of sintered metal and further comprising the step of controlling bubble size with the porosity of the sintered metal. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of porous ceramic material and further comprising the step of controlling bubble size with the porosity of the ceramic. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 14  wherein the sintered metal is an ozone resistant titanium metal. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 14  wherein the ceramic material is an insoluble dry ceramic. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of a flanged button shape. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 14  wherein a plurality of the diffuser elements are of a conical button shape.